The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV – 10 Best Brave Orders In The Game, Ranked
Trails of Cold Steel III introduced Brave Orders, a battle mechanic that gave each party member their own unique command. Each induced varying effects in combat. Trails of Cold Steel IV brought this element back and improved it, with many of the previous Brave Orders gaining secondary forms with better effects.
While this mechanic is useful to players, their abundance may make it difficult for players to determine which are most helpful — especially considering that there are 39 playable characters. This list seeks to highlight the best Brave Orders amongst the many party members that players should prioritize using.
10 Ash's Infernal Hunt
Ash Carbide is a headstrong and rash member of the new Class VII with one of the strongest weapons. His signature Brave Order reflects his notorious strength. Infernal Hunt increases the Critical rate of attacks by 60% for a total of 6 turns. In addition, the party's Strength and Speed receive a small boost, lasting for 2 turns.
Costing 3 BP, Ash's improved Brave Order provides fair effects in exchange for an above average price. While it does not guarantee the best combat results with the improved +60% Critical rate, it's a generally safe option for usage against monsters while conserving some BP. Infernal Hunt is simply a fail-safe for beginner players who want to save BP while giving their party an extra push in combat.
9 Celine's Midnight Onyx
Celine previously provided very little in battle, only narratively supporting Emma and Class VII outside of combat. In Trails of Cold Steel IV, however, she's given a Brave Order that's perfect for recalibrating a party's defenses while setting them up for taking damage. Midnight Onyx halves damage received for 4 turns, which can save beginner players caught between trying to recover HP while receiving damage.
Additionally, it grants a small, 2-turn boost to Defenses, Arts Defense, and Speed, which all attest to this Brave Order's short-term protective quality. Furthermore, this Brave Order only costs 1 BP, making it an effective tool to rely on.
8 Jusis' Noble Ark
Jusis Albarea is and always has been a solid RPG party member. As an archetypal swordsman, it's only fitting that he has a Brave Order that mechanically improves combat capabilities. Noble Ark increases damage dealt by 30%, and also increases Strength, Arts Strength, and Speed with a medium boost.
The best part about Jusis' Brave Order is that it lasts long for very little cost. Requiring only 2 BP, Noble Ark lasts for 12 turns (the stat boosts only for 2, however). This Brave Order is best used while enemies' defenses are broken, since the party's increased turns can build off of the +30% before the enemy recovers and build BP back up.
7 Machias' Omega Operation
Throughout all of Cold Steel, Machias has proven himself a reliable fighter. His overachieving tendencies have gotten Class VII through many predicaments. As a major support system for Rean and his fellow classmates, it's only natural he have a Brave Order that reflects his dependability.
Omega Operation induces turn delay on opponents, allowing the party more time to act in between enemy turns. This is especially beneficial when used in combat against multiple enemies, since it's likely that the party's turn order will be greatly spread out by the increased fighter volume. What's more, it provides a large boost to Strength and Defense for 2 turns.
6 Olivert's Elegant Waltz
When his princely duties aren't taking up his time, Olivert Reise Arnor, the Emperor's eldest son, has continually assisted Class VII. When used as an active fighter, this eclectic party member (disguised as Olivier Lenheim the bard) boasts remarkable support whie maintaining his composition.
His aptly named Brave Order reduces Art EP costs by 100%, allowing Arts casting for no EP. Elegant Waltz is especially crucial for party formations that include Arts-heavy users, and can allow for deadlier Arts casting. Costing 3 BP, the Brave Order lasts for 10 turns and also increases Arts Defense and Arts Strength.
5 Elliot's Sapphire Symphony
Never seen without his violin, Elliot Craig demonstrates duality as an amazing support-based ally and talented musician. While not the most physically capable fighter, Elliot thrives as a support-type character. He offers countless abilities tailored toward healing allies or inducing sleep on enemies.
Incorporating his musical expertise with his battle support, Elliot's Brave Order reduces damage received by 70%. It lasts for 12 turns and restores 30% HP, for only 3 BP. While it can't perfectly protect the party, Sapphire Symphony grants the player leeway in not worrying about heavy hits, and allows them time to recover.
4 Emma's Luminary Force
Emma Millstein is one of the few Class VII members not as equipped for physical combat. Rather, she focuses on magic, recovery, and support. As a Hexen Clan witch, most of Emma's abilities focus on Arts usage, and her magical prowess sees an exponential growth in the fourth game.
Being Arts-based, naturally Emma's Brave Order also pertains to Arts. Luminary Force gives the party Art Absorption for 8 turns. While not capable of blocking physical attacks, it grants temporary immunity to Arts, which can save players from Arts-heavy opponents. In addition, this Brave Order only costs 2 BP.
3 Lloyd's Raging Hammer
Although not a regularly appearing party member, Lloyd Bannings has perhaps one of the most powerful, damage-inducing Brave Orders in the entire game. Having been branded a fugitive in the previous game, Lloyd and his fellow SSS members make a huge comeback in the fourth installment. Now, he's equipped with a tremendous Brave Order suited for eliminating targets swiftly.
Raging Hammer induces +300% Break damage, topping the percentiles amongst all Brave Orders that boost Break damage. On top of that, it also restores 40% of HP, ultimately serving both offensively and defensively. The best time to use Lloyd's Brave Order is, naturally, when enemies are broken. The increased damage can knock huge chunks of HP away, quickening the defeat of stronger monsters.
2 Rean's Dark Moon
As the protagonist of Trails of Cold Steel, Rean possesses several abilities and has the most Brave Orders available to one character. While his other Brave Orders are directed toward increased damage, raising Critical, and reducing damage, each of these are statistically outdone by other Brave Orders.
Rean's best Brave Order is Dark Moon, a 3 BP Brave Order that enables immediate Arts casting. While players might assume that Rean's best Brave Order would be damage-based, this ability has the best chance to save players from defeat. Being able to instantly cast recovery Arts like Recuria and Seraphic Ring can save players from wasting turns or risking healers fainting. Meanwhile, offensive Arts users can benefit from both the immediate casting and the large Arts Strength boost.
1 Altina's Ebon Crystal
At the top of this list is Altina Orion's Ebon Crystal, a Brave Order with the greatest defenses that can be an immense lifesaver against the most powerful bosses. Unlike other protection-based abilities and Arts, Ebon Crystal reflects all damage back at the enemy. It does double duty, protecting the party while still inflicting damage.
This Brave Order lasts for 4 turns and does not dissipate after the party member is hit, allowing for consistent protection. While some might argue that the high BP cost is ineffective at 5, this Brave Order compensates with its unique, party member-saving ability. Not to mention, it also restores 20% of HP and EP. It's especially helpful considering that Altina is a prominent character used throughout the game, guaranteeing that her Brave Order is readily available.
Post a Comment